bakerstreet | Hadestown

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Hadestown

Hades & Persephone.

Persephone was gathering flowers with the Oceanids along with Artemis and Athena—the Homeric Hymn says—in a field when Hades came to abduct her, bursting through a cleft in the earth. Demeter, when she found her daughter had disappeared, searched for her all over the earth with torches. In most versions she forbids the earth to produce, or she neglects the earth and in the depth of her despair she causes nothing to grow. Helios, the sun, who sees everything, eventually told Demeter what had happened and at length she discovered the place of her abode. Finally, Zeus, pressed by the cries of the hungry people and by the other deities who also heard their anguish, forced Hades to return Persephone. Hades indeed complied with the request, but first he tricked her, giving her some pomegranate seeds to eat. Persephone was released by Hermes, who had been sent to retrieve her, but because she had tasted food in the underworld, she was obliged to spend a third of each year (the winter months) there, and the remaining part of the year with the gods above.

but even that hardest of hearts unhardened suddenly when he saw her there: persephone in her mother’s garden, sun on her shoulders, wind in her hair, the smell of flowers she held in her hand and the pollen that fell from her fingertips. and suddenly, hades was only a man with a taste of nectar upon his lips

To live your life in darkness is no easy task. Evil may be just a point of view - one you may not ascribe to yourself - but a black heart or a ruthless mind is hardly quieted. While you don't regret what you've done, at least not outwardly, you do wonder if there isn't something more. Grey morality has discolored your world.

That is, until you see them.

They are beautiful, pure, good: everything that you are not. You should be annoyed or at least ambivalent to their presence; after all, they serve you no purpose, promise you no gain. But oddly enough, you are drawn to them, and not even in hopes to destroy or corrupt. No, you want to have them, to keep them with you. What to do with this newfound feeling?

Act on it, of course. You've never let anything stop you before. What you don't realize (or perhaps do, you just don't exactly care) is that the object of your...affection may not be too keen on being taken what they see as prisoner. Yet you only have their best interests at heart! Still, you do care for them, in your own fashion, more than almost anyone else, so surely a deal can be struck...

You just couldn't bear to lose them.

This meme, obviously, is inspired by the myth of Hades and Persephone. Feel free to be as literal or as loose with your interpretations as you'd like.
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A soft laugh at the mention of cooking. "I believe I can handle such duties." He feels like he always has before this even with the handicap. But there isn't much worry about preparing vegetables. One should be able to tell when they start to burn.

"It isn't wise to voice a weakness. You never know who might here it and use it against you." And he certainly wouldn't want anything to happen to his new companion. The only reason it might be good to know is if he can come how protect the fox from it.

He continues, surprised to not hear any sounds of life around them. He feels like they are traveling through a town, but it seems completely void of sound. Perhaps he has misjudged the gravel beneath his feet and they are actually traveling along an empty road.

:Even if I wasn't borrowing this body, my ability to cook is...: Qian trailed off as she rubbed against his leg with hesitant, genuine affection. She didn't want him to think she was actually irritated at the idea of taking care of him. :Tending the fire.:

After a moment, Qian scampered on ahead again towards the town gate. The last remaining villagers had moved on or passed on so it was completely deserted, but Song Lan had come by on Xiao Xingchen's last death anniversary and it was getting close to that time again. It was too soon for them to cross paths just yet. :There's nothing alive in this town other than the two of us right now, and I think it would be better if you knew at least a few more things about me. Your ability to trust without question worries me.:

"I feel I've always been this trusting. Is it odd that I can't remember for sure?" That is perhaps his own weakness. Moving on simply muscle memory will only get him so far. He will have to make sure he concentrates on figuring out what he does know so that he isn't caught off guard.

"But if it worries you so..then please, tell me anything you would like to." He knows it won't bother him no matter what the little fox decides to tell him. He feels confident in that if nothing else.

He listens to her run ahead and just keeps his steps even as he tries to keep up. He doesn't want to hurry and find out the ground is suddenly uneven. He knows she isn't going to just leave him behind so he isn't worried in moving any faster.

He had no need at all to hurry his steps, he never would unless he wished to. Qian stopped at the gate and took a look and listen at the oddly thriving forest outside the town wall. The farther they got from that odd place the more the world would seem more 'natural', but the road was rather overgrown so a branch would be better than nothing...

:Hm... Perhaps you wished to experience that kind of life...: Qian was musing to herself more than to him at the moment but it was a bit of a question towards his future self as well. She could clearly understand what the reasons were for arranging the loss of his eyes.

When her eyes landed on a young cluster of bamboo though, Qian had to weigh the pros and cons between a branch or a pole. A branch would be more solid in a fight but a pole was lighter and more flexible. :I suppose traditionalists will give you the most difficulties because of me just because I have a strong spiritual presence and am obviously possessing this fox's body. It's easy to assume the worst when one grows up being taught how to see the worst.:

Qian really couldn't decide and finally whined a little when he caught up with her at the gate. :I can't decide... Which would you think is better? A bamboo pole or a wood staff? I'm asking on behalf of an irreplaceable person.:

Edited (Raised by a linquist with ocd, I couldn't leave 'a' in front of a vowel...) 2020-08-02 04:00 (UTC)

"That is the truth of this world unfortunately. No matter how much good we try to create, there will always be fear of the unknown. As long as we are careful then perhaps no one will question it." There are spiritual animal companions after all. They don't usually talk abut they can easily avoid conversation when around concerned parties.

Who would really argue with a daozhang dressed in all white? Especially one who can't see. He knows that people still wish to take advantage of his situation, but they could always view the fox as his guide.

"It depends on the situation for which you need it for the irreplaceable person. I would say the bamboo since it would be easier for most people, regardless of age or skill, to be able to handle."

:Not always, as long as the expected image is smashed into something so different that there are no longer any names for it. Weapons here are like stinging insects to me but listening to melodramatic lectures on morality puts me to sleep. I may have to bite something to keep myself awake.:

Who would argue? Nobody, at least not for long. And who could keep their cool when a fox is yawning in the face of their values? It would drive anyone to a temper until they realized they were seriously discussing the moral value of a FOX. And the threat to bite was quite valid towards those who thought to take advantage of a blind, white-clad daozhang.

It was probably a good thing he couldn't see the hilt of the sword pull free of the sheath on its own and make two cuts, one while sliding out and one while sliding back home. One calculated kick with her back paw sent a bamboo pole sailing right towards his chest in an easy arc. His humility was adorably easy to tease him with.

He heard that object coming and reached out to snag it out of the air with as much ease as someone who has two working eyes. His reflexes are still sharp and his hearing is certainly not impaired. He turns his face downwards as if looking at it as he runs his other hand across it.

"Is this for me to use?" There is a smile on his lips as he realizes the choice he made was for himself. At least it is an acceptable choice and he will appreciate the gift he has been given.

He should scold the fox for using the sword in such a manner, or for even using it at all. He had heard its removal from the sheath and had just been about to protest when the bamboo came his way. He certainly doesn't want her being injured by such a thing, but it seems she is well aware of how to use it and so his fears are only lightly tempered.

Black eyes turned instantly just to make sure he did catch it as she assumed he would, otherwise she'd have to do quite a bit of recalculation for his future. The way his face turned as if he could actually see where his hands were moving was a mild surprise but it eased her doubts over his actual physical capabilities. As for attacking or defending...

He wasn't ready to use a blade after just two days, after all. Just hearing one drawn had caused him to react so negatively. :It is for you to use until you decide you don't want it anymore. At that point you can just toss it aside or ask me what I'll offer to give you in trade. Don't ask for this sword though, it doesn't have a spirit so it doesn't know how to avoid biting a young man such as yourself. It will behave more in the hands of an older woman.:

He laughs softly and nods his head to show he understands the terms. "I will take good care of my new accessory." It was a gift in a way and so he will make sure to take good care of it and use it as needed. Since she seems to have a far better idea of what their future entails, he lowers the bamboo to his side much like he would carry the sword.

"Do you have a destination in mind or are we simply going to see where our feet take us?"

He doesn't mind either way of course. He doesn't know what he might have had as a path and he wonders if simply walking will remind him of what he is meant to be doing.

:A destination...: Qian pondered that as they left the noxious air of decay behind them. The farther they got from that place, the more relaxed she could feel and there was no rush to answer. :You really need to ask better questions since I've promised not to lie to you. Simple questions will grant you simple answers that can't reveal the entire picture. It's like... asking me what color the wind is rather than asking what colors the wind carries.:

The sound of little paws pattering down the forest path paused as she looked back at him, even shifted over to give his hand a tiny nuzzle of affection. :I stepped in and erased your mind in order to keep your soul from shattering, now you're stuck with my company for other reasons. Your destination is where you wish it to be, mine is watching over you until you die. It'll probably take a few decades...: A length of time a little fox seemed to find easy to shrug off like an afternoon of boredom. Which was pretty accurate in many ways.

Edited 2020-08-12 02:58 (UTC)

"You seem confident I will live even that long." If she has already saved his soul from being scattered once..then he has already lived past what his destined expiration date should have been and that is tempting fate to not try and fix this wrong.

"If you erased my memory then asking about what was erased will only make me want to repeat the actions of before and bring about my end. Which means my questions can only be about my future." If his soul tried to shatter it could mean a couple of things and none of it was good. So he is frowning slightly at the thought that perhaps he shouldn't be alive and walking this path.

"I do not mind having the company of course. And I certainly appreciate your interest in my life. And if this is a second chance that I deserve then I would like to make sure to do all I can to take advantage of that."

But it doesn't put him any closer to knowing where he should go from here. Except perhaps to just keep walking and trying to fix any issues people might have along the way.

Qian was about to respond with confidence before the actual reality he was pointing out to her really sank in. She could say she was confident, but humans were so fragile and it had been his spirit she'd been concerned about rather than his mortal body. Could she actually promise he would live so long?

His second point was also very valid. She'd meant to give him a brief idea of what had drawn her to alter his fate after assuming he'd want to know at least a few things, but he'd end up remembering it all after returning to the celestial realm anyways... Qian nodded thoughtfully and gave him a more considerate examination.

:You're right... It's pointless to mention your past at this moment since it was so harmful to so many. I'm too used to saying what's on my mind when I'm relaxed.: Qian stayed sitting for several long minutes as she tried to reverse her thinking. :Alright... Forget the past and the future. Why not explore this moment? What do you need, what do you want, what are you capable of? Are you thirsty or hungry? Hot or cold? Does it hurt anywhere? Are you able to climb a tree and get back down?:

That smile returns to the corners of his lips at the barrage of questions. Even if the initial comment sends a ping of pain into his heart, the continuation of the conversation eases it slightly. His past was harmful to many..which means perhaps he isn't a good person. He can't remember for sure but he would hope that wasn't the case. But perhaps his sins are too great in number. But moving past that he considers her questions.

"I am not sure I can answer some of those, but I am fairly sure climbing a tree would be a mistake." A small hint of humor despite the situation. As he moves along he remembers that he probably hasn't eaten anything of substance in quite some time.

"Perhaps we start this adventure by finding food so that there is the energy to continue for the day."

:A mistake? There's a tree to your right, try tapping it with your pole...: Qian's mouth parted slightly in amusement. Even if his mortal self had an eyelash's measure of his actual power it wouldn't matter if he learned anything by tapping the fruit-filled apple tree to explore his current senses. Only an innocent soul would actually trust a fox's advice to poke a tree they couldn't see, which she could bring up later if he started to question his past actions.

:This area has a number of forests and rivers but also blighted creatures and few villages.: Qian's mental voice had grown slowly serious as she eyed the woods around them while considering his more mundane needs only a step or two ahead of him. :It seems like I have just as much to learn as you do about surviving mortality...:

"Unless you would like me to tap it so that apples fall for our lunch, I think I will leave it be." He continues along listening to her description of the surroundings.

"We can teach each other all that we need in order to survive." Between the two of them he is sure they have enough knowledge and experience to maneuver anything this world decides to throw at him. He doesn't need a lot to eat in order to survive so he isn't too concerned if they don't find food immediately but they will need to eat eventually and although fully capable of scrunching up something despite not being able to see, it also is a bit more questionable to get something from the woods versus an actual vendor.

There went HIS lunch, perhaps, but hardly hers. Qian sighed with a roll of her eyes at his use of logic to avoid her suggestion. The impulse to say several different things was strong but she resisted out of stubborn spite. It was also hard to resist going ahead and pushing him off a cliff so they could finally get married.

Deep breaths, calming breaths, focus on inner balance... Qian moved over to the tree and whipped her head to give the trunk a good thump with the sheathed sword. It wasn't enough to actually harm the tree but it did vibrate through the entire plant as wood naturally redistributed the blow across millions of fiber threads while protecting the core with countless rings of protection. The vibrations throughout the roots and branches would also give an audible sense of the size and shape of that tree since he couldn't actually see which tree's branches they were sheltered by.

Ironically, two apples DID fall... and she had to dodge them. Even trees could try to avenge a wrong it seemed.

:Fine, fine... I suppose it is an even trade, watching over you is a small price as long as you feed me well. I'll get some fish later and see if some local fairies are willing to trade for berries or roots.: Qian paused for a moment before giving a deeply troubled sigh. :I suppose I could offer a strand or two of hair to bind a land immortal into my eternal service but that would cause some deeply lasting changes.:

Edited 2020-08-19 02:01 (UTC)

He listens to her assault on the tree, flinching slightly as that sword being used in such a way. Even if he hesitates when touching it, that doesn't mean it isn't a thing of beauty that deserves respect.

"Don't do anything that might be an inconvenience." Such as offering hair that would put her into service. Xingchen doesn't feel he is worth that kind of trouble. He reaches down and locates the apples, surprisingly easily. He had heard where they made impact and since the ground is fairly flat he knew they wouldn't roll far.

"Let's head towards water then so that you can see about the fish." He can certainly cook fish if she is able to cook some. Otherwise it will be heading to the next town to purchase some. He isn't even sure if he has any money for buying things with.

Qian missed his flinch while dodging the falling apples. It wasn't as though they would actually harm her but living beings unconsciously avoided harm, and Qian had experienced the difference between discipline, hostility, and accidental injury. She was willing to face the first but the other two weren't a warm cup of tea she wanted to linger over.

:It's more inconvenient to put off our-: Qian managed to cut that response off with sudden awkwardness. :Your trial-: Yeah, she winced as that explanation needed to not happen, either. :I'm too lazy to deal with local deities, they seem to insist on following formalities until they realize how much effort that requires. If we follow the road down-hill, it's logical to pass a stream or lake, maybe even a town.:

Following a road anywhere would lead to something in the end. Perhaps a place Qian could sell the silly mortal-made sword she was carrying like a dog with a trophy stick? Since she didn't need it and he didn't want it, they may as well sell it. After a slight hesitation, Qian started moving down the over-grown road leading away from the abandoned village. :You'll need a name, little fox. Don't even think of Xiao Bai (Little White), as fitting as that would be I refuse to use the same words as my niece's lover. You're mine, after all.:

Even though he doesn't want to touch the sword right now, something inside of him knows that selling it would cause him even greater pain. That sword is special and only meant to be wielded by his hand. Of that much he is sure. And perhaps someday he will know why it makes him pause and be able to transcend it, but for now it is better to leave it in her care.

"A name..why don't you decide one for me? I feel like you know more about me then I know about myself and would be more apt to chose an appropriate one."

He moves along with her, tapping that bamboo against the ground in what feels rather familiar. The sound that reaches his ears something he seems to have heard before. he wonders if perhaps he has used something like this himself in the past. But somehow it seems different..as if someone else used to use one. But one hardly as time to dwell on things he can't remember and so he quickly removes such thoughts from his mind.

If he protested the sale firmly enough to actually grip the sword, he'd discover it wasn't Shuanghua. It was just a basic sword Qian had planned on swapping appearances with Shuanghua if they actually did cross paths with Song Lan... Even if her jade fan didn't have an active spirit within it, Qian could at least vaguely understand the connection. Song Lan had been her future husband's closest bond as a mortal and she hadn't had the heart to take the last piece of Xiao Xingchen away from him.

:Name you?: Oh boy... His innocent request for a fox to name him would have made most of the celestial realm cringe. Few of them really understood that there was a very deep dedication to family under the act of lazy and flippant detachment. Qian drifted into thoughtful silence as the traveled. The sun was low in the sky and the moon taking its place when Qian slowed to a stop. :The moon follows its destined path while the wind drifts freely... The moon is gentle, the wind can be fierce... Neither one uses eyes to judge others. Perhaps... Yue Feng? I'm Bai Qian. I have a temper but I'm loyal to my family and responsibilities.:

He listens to her explanation and then nods. The name is nice, it's meaning even nicer. He smiles a little as he accepts it. "Yue Feng it will be then. Thank you for giving it to me, Bai Qian."

Xingchen doesn't mind being named by a fox and doesn't care what others might think when they see the two odd traveling companions, even if they are officials in the heavens. He is content to be able to walk this path with someone. Especially someone who seems so willing to assist and watch over him.

Dark eyes watched him silently for several minutes longer than she normally would while having a casual conversation. Originally, this mortal trial had been a mere formality without the need to experience hardships and suffering but had accidentally taken a sharp turn. If anyone ever discovered his second chance being the same easy ride it could cause problems.

Thank goodness the idea of a shape-shifting bride was a regular draw with storytellers. Qian would suggest it to Si Ming after Xingchen fell asleep but she was confident enough to start planning ahead. :I hope you remember that in the future no matter which shape I take. I can smell a town a few miles down this road but it's getting late. Do you want to find a place to camp or move on?:

Qian considered both options equal in her estimation since they really did have pros and cons. Camping would allow her to push her plan forward but there were also a few monsters and zombies around, finding shelter in a town would be safer but shifting forms would bring more risk of discovery.

"Are you going to be changing forms a lot?" Not that he can see what form she is in regardless, nor does he mind if she decides to change based on the circumstances. He just finds it curious that she would decide to do so.

He considers her questions for a moment, weighing the options in his head. Obviously finding a town and a more comfortable place to stay would be preferable but Xingchen also wasn't sure he had the money to pay for such a thing.

"I would be content to wait the night out here and then perhaps later on in our trip we can enjoy the comforts of an inn." And it will give him a chance to determine if he has anything on his person that will afford them such a thing. And if not, a way to devise a plan to earn some.

:That...: Qian's pace faltered for a few steps before she recovered and hastened to catch up with him. :I can shift at will but here in the mortal world it may be best if I keep myself hidden from others to prevent questions, as for the celestial world... I have a very highly honored status, but it would still be bothersome if too many noticed what I'm doing here."

Bothersome, but not exactly a major problem from her tone. Qian was too distracted by considering his pending needs to notice her slip right away. By the looks of the forest it would be a prime area for wood-cutters and hunters, so Qian started sniffing the winds for the scent of drying wood and old ashes. :If we're lucky there might be a communal hut for hunters and wood-cutters caught out late. Once you're settled, I can consult the one responsible for writing mortal fates about certain details.: It wasn't the first time she'd roughed it so it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe even use her tails as a blanket if he grew cold... Thank goodness foxes couldn't blush.

He smiles, listening to her talk about what she can and would do. "I appreciate all the hard work you are putting in on my behalf." He feels lucky to have gained her support and wonders what he would have done if he had been alone through all of this. He imagines that he would be having quite a difficult time.

"It sounds like you are going to be keeping quite busy." He doesn't know how difficult it will be to talk to the person regarding mortal fates but he imagines it won't be the easiest of tasks to take care of. But if she is an important in the heavens as she says she is then perhaps it won't be particularly hard either.

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